Drugs, dereliction and anti-social behaviour are becoming more of a problem in our city.
That's the verdict of Green Party Councillor Cristiona Kiely who has called for a designated manager to look after Waterford City centre.
Cllr. Kiely says the survival of the city is vital with the North Quays investment coming down the line.
Speaking at this month's Metropolitan District Meeting of Waterford Council, she said some issues have already begun.
"We need to really look at installing a staff member whose whole focus is to oversee the city centre, even if it was just a temporary role for a few years, but I do think we need someone. We're going through a big period of change at the moment with the work on the North Quays and the new bridge and the new train station and everything else that's happening within the city and there are very serious issues of anti-social behaviour that we'll all be hearing."
Cllr. Kiely says now is the time to address the issues before they get out of hand.
"There are lots of issues for retailers too and I've heard of an increase in more anti-social behaviour within restaurants and hotels and walkouts for restaurants as well, where people aren't paying their bills and there's a lot of things like that that had never happened before and I've heard business people feel unsafe even walking to their own businesses. City survival is vital and we need to take it seriously."
She says all cities have their issues, but its important to keep Waterford's as minimal as possible.
"I think it's something we really need to take seriously and put on the agenda. I know this council's term is nearly over but things like dereliction and drugs and anti-social behaviour, they're becoming more and more of a problem in our cities and I think this is a chance for us to stop it getting worse."
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